*Photograph: Eamon Ward.
CONTINUED collaboration and developing new initiatives committing to the local tourism industry were explored at a recent networking event.
‘Tourism Together’ was held at the Inn at Dromoland earlier this month, it was hosted by the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum and the Visit Clare team of the Tourism Department in Clare County Council. The purpose of this event is to ensure continued increased collaboration and development of new initiatives to commit to the local tourism industry that the challenges that are present, can be addressed by working together.
Insights on the night were provided by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) who set the scene by speaking about the resilience that the sector has demonstrated in light of all recent challenges to the industry. Clare’s tourism and hospitality sector prides itself on embracing a spirit of collaboration and a desire to innovate.
Interim Chief Executive of the Council, Dr Carmel Kirby, spoke about Clare’s ambitious pursuit of securing international certification for Clare to be certified as a sustainable tourism destination.
Guest speakers on the night were Eoghan Corry, leading travel writer who spoke about and instilled confidence to the audience on how to leverage opportunity for international promotion and retention of visitors to Clare, whilst also ensuring that as a county we appreciate the value of the high esteem, which Clare is held in on an international basis.
The second guest speaker was Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation. Eoghan provided data, statistics and analysis of the tourism industry at a national level and how this transposes to Clare and in particular shared a focus on the tourism priorities in the new programme for Government.
During the night, there was a speed networking session, with industry members having an opportunity to make at least ten connections with other industry members who they may not have had an opportunity to engage with prior to the event. In addition, there was a spotlight on local food and artisan producers, highlighting how co-ordinated promotions with Visit Clare can work effectively.
Organisers have said the night “was a hugely successful event demonstrating Clare County Council’s continuous commitment to ensuring the implementation of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030, through continuous engagement and collaboration with all tourism interests and stakeholders”.
All photographs by Eamon Ward
